As Samsung Releases New Models, Carriers and Retailers Prepare for Returns

When Samsung launched the Galaxy S8 in early 2017 it experienced 15 percent higher sales than the preceding S7. Also reported: in some markets sales of the S8 doubled that of the S7 and in Q2 2017 the S8 outsold every other individual Android smartphone. But now the spotlight has turned on the soon-to-be-released Samsung Galaxy S9, set to debut at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this month. And accordingly, wireless carriers and retailers are prepping for the deluge of returned S8s (and S7s) as consumers seek to upgrade to the S9.

Remarketing through the Secondary Market

It is common practice for many retailers and carriers to use a multi-pronged approach to remarketing returned and overstock devices; this includes: Direct-to-consumer (retail); online marketplaces such as eBay and Amazon; or B2B/wholesale. Many leverage a B2B online auction sales channel like B-Stock’s to sell bulk quantities of wireless devices and accessories.

B-Stock launched its mobile marketplace in 2014 and we’ve seen some interesting trends over the years. According to Sean Cleland, our Director or Mobile: “Typically we see a spike in volume across our wireless marketplaces within a month of a new model hitting the market. That first month is typically the time period when carriers start to provide trade-in offers and other promotions to upgrade. We saw this happen with the Apple iPhone 8, we sold 50% more iPhone 7 units on one of our branded marketplaces the following month.”

When it comes to the Galaxy models, our wireless clients have auctioned off hundreds of thousands of returned Samsung S7s and—as of now—tens of thousands of returned S8s. Considering there are over 20 million S8s in use throughout the world (and there’s huge anticipation of the S9), we’re gearing up for an influx of S8s as the S9s roll out to consumers.

Mobile World Congress – Barcelona, Spain 2018

Heading to Mobile World Congress? Stop by and see Sean and the rest of the mobile team; we’ll be at booth 7G89.